Williamnagar, October 19: The District Tuberculosis Office of East Garo Hills, Meghalaya, made strides in the fight against tuberculosis (TB) by hosting a sensitization meeting with private health sector professionals from East and North Garo Hills. Alongside the meeting, the office also launched its new TB awareness initiative—the “Do You Know?” Campaign on Friday.
Dr. Diganta Thakuria, WHO Consultant, highlighted TB as one of the deadliest airborne communicable diseases. He urged private practitioners to report any symptomatic TB cases to the District Tuberculosis Centre and to update the information on the state’s Mother App, designed to track and notify cases.
David F. Rapsang, District Drug Inspector, emphasized the critical importance of managing Schedule H1 drugs—90% of which are anti-TB medications. He warned that mishandling these drugs could lead to drug-resistant TB strains and stricter legal action under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. “Proper documentation and sale under prescription are non-negotiable,” he stated, emphasizing the role of pharmacists in preventing misuse.
Sengchrang Marak, District Program Coordinator, provided training on the Mother App, developed by Meghalaya’s National Health Mission to help private facilities enroll TB patients, ensuring better tracking and reporting of cases from non-governmental clinics.
The event was crowned by the launch of the “Do You Know?” campaign, which seeks to raise TB awareness and foster stronger engagement from private practitioners. Dr. Chrissie Pearly M. Sangma, District TB Officer, explained that the campaign will serve as a platform to educate healthcare providers and empower patients with essential knowledge about TB diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.
“This initiative aims to bridge the gap between private healthcare providers and the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP). It’s about ensuring doctors diagnose TB early, and that patients receive the free services available,” Dr. Sangma said.
District Medical & Health Officer Dr. Cruzie Elmina N. Sangma acknowledged the progress made in the TB program but reminded everyone that the ultimate goal is total TB elimination in the district.
District Commissioner Vibhor Aggarwal, IAS, echoed these sentiments, stressing the crucial role of private practitioners in identifying and reporting TB cases. He praised the District TB Office for their proactive efforts, stating, “The ‘Do You Know?’ Campaign is a vital step in spreading awareness. The right knowledge must reach the public to help us in our mission to eliminate TB.”
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